Sunday, January 9, 2011

Wm. J. Mills & Co. Flight Bag

If you are a regular reader of Sart Inc you know that I don't go out of my way to talk about bags all too often. For whatever reason, I'm just not that into bags and would much rather spend my money on various other items. All that aside, when I started my new job in 2011 I felt it was time to get myself a new bag for everyday use. Price wasn't so much an issue as was finding something that embodied classic style and was built to last - yeah, typical blogger rhetoric. I'll be honest, I didn't even do that much shopping around. Not because I'm lazy, but because I already knew who was going to satisfy exactly what I was after - Wm. J. Mills & Co. I talked about these guys quite a while ago and now is as good of a time as any to revisit their best in class bags. Established in 1880, these Greenport, NY bags are hand-crafted in the same canvas used to make various marine-related products like awnings. The double needle stitching employed to finish each seam, both inside and out, is second to none - this bag feels like it can literally withstand anything, let alone a five day a week commute. I grabbed myself The Flight Bag because it's the perfect size for what I carry, not to mention it can easily transition to travel. Also, you gotta love this little bit of copy: "internet bloggers continue to feature this bag, year after year, for its colors and simplicity." Are we really that predictable? Back to the bag - simple, yes, and stylish and tough. Done and done. Now I don't have to talk about bags ever again.

Lawrence can you feature one shot in hand? I'd be interested in the length it hangs at. And any ways you think you can get around the giant label they put on it? If that was on the inside I think I'd pull the trigger.

Fen- Yes this color way is Teak Tan with Blue trim. I must credit Unionmade Goods in San Francisco for making this combination popular first.

Anonymous- Please call Suzanne at the shop 631 477-1500 if you have a problem with a boat cover, She can help.

TO- The label is an integral part of the process. When one of our sewers is elevated to master sewer and allowed to do bags, they are also allowed to sew on the label. The same label we have used since 1945 (what we call our modern label as opposed to the old one). Messing with the label would be a big deal, but I will make you a bag without a label or sew it into an inside seam if that helps? We make them to order and January in a sail loft is always a little slow.

Of course it's $100 more than Land's End charges for the same thing (and they're pretty solid; we've got some around the barn that are at least 30 years old) so I guess that makes it more desirable in fashion-blogger land.

Hannah - The office bag is getting a big update, which will be released at (capsule) next week. The update is a new size that is more friendly to those that carry legal size folders and larger laptops. Size-wise it is between our "canvas briefcase and the Parachute bag. Hold off to months end if you can and you will have more selection.

Label- Most people don't realize it but you can request the label in Blue letters on a white background (same graphic) if you want to. All it take is to include a note on your on-line order. I prefer the Blue label on Teak Tan, Pink, Napthol Red, Purple, and Yellow, but that is just me. The important thing is that you can get what you want.

What kind of accessories are inside this bag? Is there a pocket? A pen holder or two? If not, will the updated office bag have any of these options? I'm starting back to school and want a fashionable, classic, functional bag where I don't have rummage around the bottom to find my pen, pencil, etc. I like organization and I really want a Wm. J. Mills bag. I'm smitten

I got my Flight Bag in this week and I love it more than I thought I would! The detail and craftsmanship is second to non. It's so simple and classic. A work of art. There is something to be said about an item that is made by a set of hands vs. a machine or assembly line. I feel it can perfectly be used for school, personal and work applications. My wife is a clinical therapist and wants one for work after seeing mine. It says in is 14" wide, but can easily accommodate my laptop, which measures 15" wide, without making the bag look stretched. Another words, you can't even tell it's there.

And by the way, it does have an inside pocket that runs the length of the front panel. It is big enough to hold a few folders, a calendar and/or a small (thin) binder.